A Legacy of Excellence

Katie Shaw, Staff Writer
November 27, 2018

For decades, the name of Wylie High School has been associated across Texas with success in competition, a reputation that extends far beyond just sports. The University Interscholastic League is one of the largest academic competition programs in the nation, and has been home to Wylie’s best and brightest for as long as our school has been standing. It has inspired the growth of knowledge and fostered the life skills of amicable competition and a strive for greatness amongst Wylie’s students and faculty. Despite the recent move into the 5A district, Wylie High will continue to (compete for success) and hopes to continue a legacy of victory in UIL Academics.

 

       In the 2017-18 UIL season, Wylie High School totalled 103 points, and sent teams and individuals to compete in Current Events, Computer Science, Calculator, and Number Sense to State. Most notably, the computer science team placed 1st, and Wyatt Witemeyer ranked 2nd individually.

 

Currently, Abilene Wylie High School participates in the following events at UIL Competitions:

  • Speech and Debate
    • Congressional Debate -Rosbrugh

“Models the legislative process of democracy, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly, the students draft legislation, research bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies, deliver speeches and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary Procedure forms structure for the discourse.”

    • Lincoln-Douglas Debate -Rosbrugh

In this one-on-one values debate, you’ll prepare to argue for or against a given resolution. After researching the topic in advance, it will be up to you to make arguments that defend your point of view and debunk invalid claims from your opponent.

    • Cross-Examination Debate -Rosbrugh
      • As part of a two-person team, you will prepare your stance on a particular policy in advance and then face an opposing team in competition. You’ll have to think on your feet to defend your ideas.
    • Extemporaneous Speaking – (Informative and Persuasive) – Rosbrugh
      • This contest is all about watching the clock and knowing your material. You’ll draw a current event and have 30 minutes to comb through files you’ve collected throughout the year. Then you’ll present a speech that informs or persuades your audience on all aspects of the current event you’ve researched.
    • Prose/Poetry Interpretation – Shoemake
      • Competitors choose a selection that fits in the given category to present to an audience. This contest emphasizes literary analysis through expressive oral reading.
    • One-Act Play – Shoemake
      • The aims of the One-Act Play Contest are to satisfy the competitive, artistic spirit with friendly rivalry among schools, emphasizing high quality performance in this creative art; to foster appreciation of good acting, good directing, and good theatre.
  • Math & Sciences – Jansa and Butz
    • Computer Sciences
      • The Computer Science Contest challenges high school students to gain an understanding of the significance of computation as well as the details of Java programming, to be alert to new technology and information, to gain an understanding of the basic principles of computer science and to get a start in one of the most important fields of the Information Age.
    • Number Sense

                        This 80-question mental.                    math contest covers all high school mathematics curricula. All answers must be derived without using scratch paper or a calculator.

Mathematics

This 40-minute, 60-question contest is designed to test knowledge and understanding in the areas of Algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, analytic geometry, pre-calculus and elementary calculus.

    • Calculator Applications

This 40-minute, 60-question contest is designed to test knowledge and understanding in the areas of Algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, analytic geometry, pre-calculus and elementary calculus.

    • Science

Your knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics will help you select the correct answers on this 60-question multiple-choice test. Individual awards are given in each subject area, so even students who have not yet taken all the science courses can excel!

    • Robotics

Students are exposed to hands-on learning and apply their knowledge to real-life problem solving in a completive, fun environment.

 

  • Language
    • Editorial Writing – Gilreath

In editorial writing, you’ll take a stand on a controversial school issue and back up your stance with facts and examples.

    • Headline Writing – Gilreath

The challenge is to be creative in your word choice and adhere to the word and line counts as you write tomorrow’s headlines.

    • News Writing – Gilreath

You’ll work on deadline for the newspaper as you create a cohesive story that inquiring minds have a right to know.

    • Copy Editing – Gilreath

This contest is a three-part opportunity to showcase your ability to correct material for accuracy and readability.

  • Ready Writing – Wristen
    • Students write expository compositions that attempt to explain, prove or explore a topic in a balanced way, allowing the argument and the evidence given to be the deciding factor in the paper. Students are given a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications or speeches. The essay is judged on interest, organization and style.

Spelling and Vocabulary – Kirby

    • The Spelling & Vocabulary Contest promotes precise and effective use of words. The three-part contest consists of multiple-choice questions covering proofreading and vocabulary, and words that are written from dictation.

 

  • Social Studies
    • Social Studies
      • The Social Studies Contest requires students to expand and apply their knowledge of governmental systems, historical trends, movements and eras and the physical setting of the earth, particularly as it applies to cultural environments. Each year the contest focuses on a selected topic area, and a reading list is provided. The contest requires you to apply your understanding of history and culture through multiple-choice questions and an essay.
    • Current Issues and Events
      • The contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national and world events and issues. The contest consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and an essay that challenges students to understand not just what is happening in the world today, but why and how it’s happening and what it means to us as citizens of the United States.

 

  • Business
    • Accounting
      • The contest focuses on the elementary principles and practices of accounting for sole proprietorship, partnerships and corporations, and includes bookkeeping terminology, the work sheet with adjustments, income statement, balance sheet, trial balance, account classification, journalizing, posting, bank reconciliation, payroll and other items related to the basic accounting cycle.  

 

The 2018-19 UIL Academics season is fast-approaching, and coaches are always eager for the most creative and brilliant minds to take a spot on their teams. If you have any interest in any of the above UIL Events, please see the respective coach to talk about competing for Wylie High School academics this year!